Ecclestone's quotes followed the news that Honda will return to the sport in 2015 with McLaren, but BMW were quick to rubbish the story.

"I don't know with whom Bernie spoke," motorsport boss Jens Marquardt was quoted by Autosport. "We are right on top of our current programme, namely DTM. In GT sports cars at the Nordschleife and in ALMS as well as customer sport programmes we are posting super results.

"We have absolutely no intention of looking at other categories. We made a conscious decision to withdraw from Formula One. We orientated ourselves around that which our customers recognise as being BMW. There is no reason to alter this concept. It is currently running very well."

BMW made a successful return to DTM last year and only left Formula One three years ago in 2009. Marquardt said it would only consider a return to F1 if it felt the time was right.

"There are always good timing points at which to enter something. For example, we chose the right moment to make our entry into DTM because new regulations were on their way. Now F1 has new engine regulations. That suits Honda and has been noted. However, we have not reacted further."

Following the Rugby Football Union's announcement on Sunday that England Sevens coach Ben Ryan is set to relinquish his role, various past, present and future England internationals have taken to Twitter to praise him